Derek Van Diest's Snapshots from Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings

Edmonton forward Sam Gagner (89) hits the ice after a collision with L.A. defenceman Alec Martinez (27) during an NHL game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Sunday, March 9, 2014. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Philip Larsen has two goals in his first two games back for the Edmonton Oilers.

Unfortunately, one was into his own net, but who’s counting?

The important thing for Larsen is that he’s back on his feet after being hit with a mysterious virus that sapped his energy and had him experiencing dizzy spells.

Larsen was in the lineup for only the second time in eight weeks Thursday against the New York Islanders, scoring the tying goal.

He played his second consecutive game for the first time in two months Sunday against the Los Angeles Kings.

“I felt good out there (Thursday) especially in the first half of the game,” Larsen said.

“I thought I had some good energy, but then I started to feel like I hadn’t played in a while.”

Larsen was able to power through against the Islanders who took a 2-0 lead into the third period before falling 3-2 in overtime.

The Danish defenceman worked hard to get back into the lineup after eventually shaking the bug, which had him out for so long.

Yet, regardless how hard he practice, his first couple of games back were always going to be a struggle.

“We try to make practices as game-like as possible, but it’s never the same thing,” Larsen said.

“Even when we go five-on-five, you’re going hard, but you don’t want to hurt anyone out there. In a game, you’re constantly changing direction and you have to skate full speed all the time. You’re going out there taking hits, giving hits.

“I think it made a difference too that Jeff Petry got hurt and we went down to five defencemen. I think that had something to do with it too, you get a little tired. But it was a good way to get into it right away. It’s nice to be able to contribute in your first game back.”

Sunday against the Kings, Larsen inadvertently kicked the puck past Oilers goaltender Ben Scrivens to give the Kings the early lead in a game they would run away with.

Back in

Two days off did wonders for the Jeff Petry and his sore back.

The Oilers defenceman left Thursday’s game against the Islanders after injuring his back and rib area attempting to make a hit.

Petry missed the final two periods of that contest, but was able to recover and was inserted into the lineup against the Kings.

“It felt a lot better than it felt (Thursday),” Petry said.

“It was tough to take a deep breath. They didn’t want me to continue, and the next morning, it was still the same and I felt bad. But the next day it really loosened up and I felt a lot better.”

With the Oilers only having six defencemen on the roster, they put an emergency call into Oscar Klefbom in case Petry was unable to go.

As an emergency call-up, Klefbom could only be inserted for Petry.

If the Oilers wish to keep Klefbom in Edmonton, they’ll have to burn one of their four allowable call-ups after the trade deadline.

“I haven’t had a chance to talk to him (Klefbom),” Petry said.

“But I’ve been in that situation before and I’m sure his time will come.”

Rolling right along

The Kings rolled into Edmonton playing the type of hockey expected out of them this season.

The Kings were on a six-game win streak heading in to face the Oilers and left with seven straight victories.

Los Angeles are comfortably third in the Pacific Division, probably too far back to catch the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks, but too far ahead to be caught by the Phoenix Coyotes.

Better goalie

Ben Scrivens was thankful for his time with the Kings this year, even if he was unlikely to take over the starters role and was eventually traded.

The Oilers goaltender was second fiddle to Jonathan Quick in the pecking order in Los Angeles, then fell behind Martin Jones on the depth chart making him expendable.

However, Scrivens left a better goaltender than he arrived in Los Angeles, having arrived in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs last summer.

“It was great opportunity to learn from one of the best in the game,” Scrivens said of Quick.

“He’s an Olympian, he a Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup winner. Every day you get to see him in practice and how he conducts himself before games, during games, it was a great learning experience for me.”

Scrivens also credits working with former Oilers goaltender Bill Ranford for improving his game. Ranford is the Kings goaltending coach.

“Billy’s another guy that’s won Stanley Cups, won the Conn Smythe,” Scrivens said. “He’s another guy who knows how to win to have him as your coach it was another opportunity to learn. It was a great experience.”